Best Mattresses for Kids

A standard Twin, at 38 by 75 inches, is the most common first-bed size once a kid moves out of a crib, and it fits most kids' rooms comfortably. A Twin XL, the same width with 5 more inches of length, is worth considering for a taller kid or a room expected to hold a teenager later, but it is not required for a younger child who has plenty of length to grow into.

That depends more on the kid's height and the room than a specific age. Once a child is approaching the 75 inch length of a standard Twin, a Twin XL or Full gives more room to grow before another mattress change is needed. Room size is worth weighing too, since a Full takes up noticeably more floor space than a Twin.

No. A lighter body does not compress foam as deeply as a heavier adult body does, so an 8 to 10 inch mattress that would feel thin under most adults can still give a kid enough cushioning above the support layer. Thinner mattresses are also easier for a kid to get in and out of on their own and generally cost less.

CertiPUR-US is an independent program that tests foam for things like emissions, so a certified mattress has been checked by an accredited lab rather than relying only on the manufacturer's own word. Not every mattress in this catalog carries it, including some in this roundup, since a mattress that lacks the certification may simply not have applied for it rather than having failed a test.

A medium firm stated feel, the most common label across this catalog, works for most kids regardless of how they sleep, since a lighter body does not sink into a given firmness the way a heavier adult body does. There is no specific firmness a kid medically needs; it comes down to what that child finds comfortable, the same as it does for anyone else.